3. Comment by Joseph M. (ClrCrk)— September 23,2009 @ 6:34AM
Ratings:-3+5
I am rarely disappointed with Mr. Brooks' column, but unless I somehow missed it he failed to mention at all the part of the neoconservative agenda that I find most repugnant, or Mr. Kristol's role in shaping that agenda.
At least a few neoconservatives have revised their thinking in view of the Iraq War tragedy, but many seem permanently wedded to the notion that it is our right, even duty, as lone superpower to impose hegemonic dominance on the rest of the world.
What I find most repulsive is the use of the stalking horse of spreading democracy and freedom to force-fit, by force of arms if necessary, other nations to conform to a mold of their design.
The imposition of democracy and freedom at the point of a bayonet just doesn't work for me. Never has and never will.
4. Comment by Joseph M. (ClrCrk)— September 23,2009 @ 7:27AM
Ratings:-1+2
Probably a year or two past, perhaps further back, ADS did not publish NYT columnists online. Today is a reverse situation; I do not find Mr. Brooks' column in the hard copy of ADS.
I think I've seen similar differences on other occasions recently, but don't recall the specifics.
5. Comment by Joseph M. (ClrCrk)— September 23,2009 @ 8:34AM
Ratings:-2+4
Irving Kristol and Norman Podhoretz are both considered godfathers of the neoconservative movement. Columnist Charles Krauthammer has been an advocate of the movement for some years.
William Kristol, son of Irving Kristol, may be even more dogmatic than his dad. Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and Richard Cheney are of similar bent.
Francis Fukuyama is one of the notables who has had serious second thoughts about neoconservatism.
6. Comment by Joseph M. (ClrCrk)— September 23,2009 @ 8:21PM
Ratings:-1+0
From an Op-ed by James Q. Wilson (A Life in the Public Interest, Wall Street Journal, Monday, September 21, 2009):
"The view that we know less than we thought we knew about how to change the human condition came, in time, to be called neoconservatism."
and:
"If neoconservatism does have any principle, it is this one: the law of unintended consequences. Launch a big project and you will almost surely discover that you have created many things you did not intend to create."
This all sounds good but far different from neoconservative practices.
In practice, a relative handful of influential neoconservatives played a key role in leading us into invading Iraq.
As mentioned above most neoconservatives are committed to global hegemony, the PNAC roadmap.
Norman Podhoretz has appeared on TV in outspoken support of a preemptive war against Iran, even while admitting that he was not sure it would not trigger WW III.
Neither Brooks nor Wilson mentioned this most ambitious and dangerous aspect of neoconservatism.
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Kristol knew economics couldn't fix civic problems
Irving Kristol was born into a fanatical century and thrust himself into every ideologically charged battle of his age....there is no idea so true and no movement so pure that it doesn't require scrutiny.
Don't fall for fantastical notions that have nothing to do with the way people really are.
These two quotes should be on the masthead of every newspaper.
Report this comment
Great article David
Re-read it a couple times...
Report this comment
I am rarely disappointed with Mr. Brooks' column, but unless I somehow missed it he failed to mention at all the part of the neoconservative agenda that I find most repugnant, or Mr. Kristol's role in shaping that agenda.
At least a few neoconservatives have revised their thinking in view of the Iraq War tragedy, but many seem permanently wedded to the notion that it is our right, even duty, as lone superpower to impose hegemonic dominance on the rest of the world.
What I find most repulsive is the use of the stalking horse of spreading democracy and freedom to force-fit, by force of arms if necessary, other nations to conform to a mold of their design.
The imposition of democracy and freedom at the point of a bayonet just doesn't work for me. Never has and never will.
Report this comment
Probably a year or two past, perhaps further back, ADS did not publish NYT columnists online. Today is a reverse situation; I do not find Mr. Brooks' column in the hard copy of ADS.
I think I've seen similar differences on other occasions recently, but don't recall the specifics.
Report this comment
Irving Kristol and Norman Podhoretz are both considered godfathers of the neoconservative movement. Columnist Charles Krauthammer has been an advocate of the movement for some years.
William Kristol, son of Irving Kristol, may be even more dogmatic than his dad. Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and Richard Cheney are of similar bent.
Francis Fukuyama is one of the notables who has had serious second thoughts about neoconservatism.
Report this comment
From an Op-ed by James Q. Wilson (A Life in the Public Interest, Wall Street Journal, Monday, September 21, 2009):
"The view that we know less than we thought we knew about how to change the human condition came, in time, to be called neoconservatism."
and:
"If neoconservatism does have any principle, it is this one: the law of unintended consequences. Launch a big project and you will almost surely discover that you have created many things you did not intend to create."
This all sounds good but far different from neoconservative practices.
In practice, a relative handful of influential neoconservatives played a key role in leading us into invading Iraq.
As mentioned above most neoconservatives are committed to global hegemony, the PNAC roadmap.
Norman Podhoretz has appeared on TV in outspoken support of a preemptive war against Iran, even while admitting that he was not sure it would not trigger WW III.
Neither Brooks nor Wilson mentioned this most ambitious and dangerous aspect of neoconservatism.
Report this comment